13A or 13+ not a solution to ethnic problem: AKD

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution or 13+ would not be a solution to the ethnic problem, National People’s Power MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday. He told parliament that the ethnic problem could be resolved only through a new Constitution which ensures the rights of people in the north and south.

Speaking during the debate on the President’s policy Statement, he said neither the Constitution introduced in 1978 nor the Amendments brought to it have been approved by the people in a referendum.

He said they were of the opinion that lands of the northern people, acquired by the government institutions, should be handed back to them.

Mr. Dissanayake said President Ranil Wickremesinghe has initiated a discussion on implementing the 13A just to create an issue in the country.